Firefighter enjoys his time here

What’s your idea of a perfect day?
“Sleeping in late on a cool summer morning and going to a Yankees game that afternoon with my kids. That would be a great day. It doesn’t matter who wins — it’s just being there.”

What did you think about on Sept. 11?
“I was at work that day on my regular shift at the fire department just like those firefighters in New York. I was in shock. I felt very angry and wondered what we could have done to any group of people to make them hate us so bad. I felt sorrow and a feeling of helplessness. But mostly I was mad. I can’t imagine how much courage those brave men had when they went into the World Trade Center to help the victims. God bless them.”

Tell us about your pets:
“I have some dogs I hunt with and I have a 180-gallon aquarium with African cichlids in it.”

What is your theme song?
“ ‘Heard It in a Love Song’ by the Marshall Tucker Band.”

What would you like printed on your gravestone?
“Harlin had a great time while he was here.”

Who’s invited to your fantasy dinner party, and why?
“ZZ Top and the women in their videos and all of my rowdy friends. Why? Heck, why not? Is somebody else paying for this party?”

What do you think about Portales?
“Portales is a great place to live and raise kids. I’m not sure they think so, but I think they will appreciate it when they grow up.”

Who is your favorite entertainer?
“My favorite band is ZZ Top and my favorite actor would have to be Jack Nicholson.”

What’s so great about your favorite sport?
“Baseball is great because it’s a team sport, it’s played outdoors, and it’s a very mental game. It teaches kids that they need to think all the time. It also teaches them a good work ethic and that practice makes perfect.”

Tell us about a time you cried:
“When my mom passed away on March 12 of this year.”

Tell us about a happy time:
“When my kids were born.”

What was your most embarrassing moment?
“No way, it was embarrassing. Why would a sane person want to relive that?”

When you were a kid, what did you think you would be doing as an adult?
“I was pretty sure I wanted to be a fireman, but I didn’t know if I would ever really do it.”

Who is your hero and why?
“John Wayne — because he was rough and tough, and didn’t take any guff off nobody.”

If I could do anything …
“I would like to sing on CMT with Willie Nelson.”

What is your greatest hope?
“That my kids grow up to become Christians.”

What is your favorite taste?
“My friend Meno makes this really good picante sauce, and I like to dip catfish in it.”

What is your favorite smell?
“After a good rain.”

What’s your favorite part about your job?
“Helping people in need. It makes me feel really good about myself and my compadres.”

What do you not like about your job?
“Paperwork.”

What is your most prized possession?
“I think my most prized possession would have to be my grandad’s old Gal Leg spurs. I have them hanging on the wall with some of his other stuff.”
— Compiled by Loretta Kos